Mary Ann Northrup

Mary Ann Northrup was born on Aug. 22, 1931 to homesteaders Reuben and Theresia Berg.

On March 15, 2025, she passed away peacefully in her home of over 60 years with her son David and daughters-in-law Astrid and Cindy by her side.

Mary Ann was born in Sterling, Colorado, and moved to her parent’s homestead on the Willwood as a young child. She loved farm life from an early age, riding horses, rockhounding and working with her father in the fields.

After graduating from Powell High School with “the 49ers” (class of 1949), she attended the University of Wyoming. In the spring of 1951, she returned to Powell to marry her sweetheart, Laness Northrup, the day after he graduated from high school. She remained at Laness’s side for the next 54 years, until his death in 2005.

A year after their marriage, Laness joined the Air Force. He and Mary Ann lived all over the USA, having many adventures from these days. They settled back down on their Willwood homestead, about two miles from her family’s homestead, by the early 1960s. Mary Ann was the ideal farmer’s wife, working alongside her husband, driving beet truck, raising a huge garden and putting up enormous amounts of produce every year. She maintained her CDL until she was over 90 years old.

Mary Ann and Laness raised their three sons on the farm: Bill (Louise), David (Astrid) and Don (Cindy). Son David farms to this day, carrying on the family’s legacy.

In addition to her work on the farm, Mary Ann was an expert on the geology of the Big Horn Basin. She shared her joy of rockhounding with generations of Powell school children and 4H members. She also served as a Park County Fair superintendent for many years.

She was also a prolific artist, gifting many family and friends with her beautiful paintings and teaching painting through Northwest College’s community education program.

In 2000, Laness was elected to the Wyoming Senate, and he and Mary Ann had another adventure, living in Cheyenne during session, and traveling on Senate business for the next several years.

She remained close with many of her high school classmates throughout her life, and was a member of Shoshone Rock Club, Beta Sigma Phi and EPASC, a group of original homesteaders.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband Laness and granddaughter Brittany. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, as well as six grandchildren: Geddy (Chelsea), Patrick, Michael, Benjamin (Rachel), Audrey (Josh), and Will, and eight great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann’s family would like to thank Stillwater Hospice and Yellowstone Home Care for wonderful support and companionship in her final months.

A remembrance and graveside ceremony will be held at the United Church of Powell (formerly the Presbyterian Church) at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 24, with Thompson Funeral Home in charge.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society are requested.